15 Questions
What was the origin of the name of the Whig Party?
From the Scottish word whiggamore
Who was the primary opponent of Andrew Jackson that led to the formation of the Whig Party?
Henry Clay
What event led to the dissolution of the Federalist party?
The War of 1812
How did John Quincy Adams win the election in 1824?
Through the House of Representatives
What was the term given to Henry Clay's actions in the 1824 election?
A Corrupt Bargain
What was the significance of Andrew Jackson's victory in the 1828 election?
It resulted in a significant shift in American politics.
What was one of the core values of the Whig Party?
Opposition to the presidency of Andrew Jackson.
What did the Whigs believe was necessary for American manufacturing to grow?
Protective tariffs.
What was a notable feature of Andrew Jackson's presidency?
He used his presidential veto powers extensively.
Why did Andrew Jackson oppose the renewal of the Second National Bank?
He believed it aided only wealthy Americans and did little for ordinary Americans.
Which Whig Party candidate won the presidential election in 1840?
William Henry Harrison
What was the consequence of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the repeal of the Missouri Compromise in 1820?
The final divide of the Whig Party
What was the main reason for Martin Van Buren's success in the 1836 presidential election?
Jackson's common person's support
Who became President after William Henry Harrison's death in 1840?
John Tyler
What was the result of the growing division over slavery within the Whig Party?
The formation of the Republican Party
Study Notes
The Whig Party
- Formed in 1834 by Henry Clay and several anti-Jacksonian Democrats, named after the Scottish word "whiggamore" which opposed the English monarchy.
- Founded by Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, William Seward, Thaddeus Stevens, and Horace Greeley.
Reasons for the Formation of the Whig Party
- Opposition to Andrew Jackson, who was seen as a king rather than a President.
- The Era of Good Feelings (1815-1824) resulted in a period of limited political discourse, with only one political party, the Democratic-Republicans.
- The split in the Democratic-Republican Party in 1824 between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams led to Henry Clay's influence in the election, resulting in a "Corrupt Bargain".
- The election of 1828 further divided the Democratic-Republican Party, with Jackson's victory leading to a significant shift in American politics.
Beliefs and Core Values of the Whig Party
- Opposition to the presidency of Andrew Jackson and his abuse of powers under the Constitution.
- Support for the Second National Bank to control and regulate American currency and spending.
- Support for high protective tariffs to promote American manufacturing.
- Division within the party regarding the extension of slavery, with some supporting its expansion and others opposing it.
Key Figures and Events
- Andrew Jackson's presidency (1829-1837) marked a significant shift in American politics, with the opening of the White House to the general public and increased voter participation.
- Jackson's veto powers, including his famous veto of the Second National Bank, were seen as a threat to Congress and the Supreme Court.
- The Whig Party's election propaganda in 1834 highlighted their opposition to Jackson's policies.
- The cartoon "King Andrew the First" (circa 1832) depicted Jackson as a monarch willing to break the U.S. Constitution.
Elections and the End of the Whig Party
- The first Presidential election for the Whig Party was in 1836, with Martin Van Buren's victory attributed to Jackson's common person's support and the Whigs' split votes.
- The Whig Party won presidential elections in 1840 and 1848, but lost in 1836, 1844, and 1852.
- The growing division over slavery within the Whig Party led to its eventual demise in 1854, with the formation of the Republican Party.
A quiz about the Whig Party, a political party in the United States from 1834 to 1854, formed by Henry Clay and anti-Jacksonian Democrats.
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